The Department of Foreign Affairs does not procure materials directly for emergency humanitarian or development programmes. Assistance is provided in the form of cash grants channelled through international aid organisations and non-governmental organisations, NGOs, which have a proven track record in providing prompt and effective intervention in humanitarian emerg-encies.
We believe that these agencies are best placed to assess everyday needs in crisis situations. Funded agencies are free to purchase the necessary relief goods by a process of competitive tenders which maximise the value and quantity of relief aid and ensures value for taxpayers' money. It is open to Irish commercial interests to tender for the supply of such goods.